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Cow Hollow

Cow Hollow

$2,621,713 Average Value
$297 Average Price per Sq Ft
2 Homes For Sale

Coveted San Francisco District home with hilltop views

Cow Hollow is a highly residential community in San Francisco, often considered one of the most coveted areas in the city. “You are dealing with one of the premier neighborhoods in San Francisco. It feels exclusive,” says Eddie O’Sullivan, a longtime San Francisco resident, Realtor and Broker of Elevation Real Estate. “It’s sandwiched between Pacific Heights and the Marina District; you have the vibrancy of Union Street here and access to Presidio with all of that outdoor space and everything that it provides.” Cow Hollow's sloping streetscapes also provide some of the best views across San Francisco, thanks to the neighborhood’s location on the city’s northeast side, facing the bay. “This panoramic view is the quintessential San Francisco view,” says local Realtor Bradford Coy of Compass. The sights in Cow Hollow, named for its past as a site of multiple dairy farms, help make this neighborhood distinct, along with its well-kept homes and proximity to numerous notable San Francisco offerings.

The Cow Hollow neighborhood offers beautiful views of the Golden Gate Bridge.
The Cow Hollow neighborhood offers beautiful views of the Golden Gate Bridge.
A warm day leads to a lot of foot or bike travel in Cow Hollow.
A warm day leads to a lot of foot or bike travel in Cow Hollow.
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Preserved Victorian and Edwardian housing

The neighborhood’s sidewalk-lined streets feature homes primarily built in the early 20th century. The most common housing styles include Victorian, Edwardian-style, Beaux-Arts and Mission Revival. Homes here often have spacious interiors, big windows and intricate woodwork and are usually painted in a variety of shades, from earth tones to bright primary colors. Single-family home prices typically range from $3 million to $8 million. “The homes are really desirable in Cow Hollow because it’s the one place you can find very large, older, quintessential San Francisco homes tied into that view,” Coy says. Condos are another option within the neighborhood. Condos with 560 square feet to 1,300 square feet of space are priced from $530,000 to $1.5 million, while those with 1,500 square feet to 2,500 square feet of space range from $1.65 million to $4.15 million.

Apartment widows protrude out over a Cow Hollow street.
Apartment widows protrude out over a Cow Hollow street.
Edwardian, Victorian, and modern architecture seem to be the dominating themes in Cow Hollow.
Edwardian, Victorian, and modern architecture seem to be the dominating themes in Cow Hollow.
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Union, Fillmore and Chestnut offer convenient shopping and dining

Union Street and Fillmore Street are notable commercial thoroughfares running through Cow Hollow, offering many options for shopping and dining. “Just about everything you want and need,” Coy says. Along here is Rose’s Café, a popular brunch spot known for its breakfast pizza. Down the street is Palm House, a tropical-themed establishment with cocktail offerings, while next door is The Brixton, which serves classic American fare and a full lineup of beer. European-style dining with quaint sidewalk seating can be found at Cote Ouest Bistro, while nearby, Terzo cooks up Mediterranean food within a restored vintage home with a notable wine cellar. Shops include Sephora, Lululemon and a large selection of clothing boutiques and jewelry stores. Luke’s Local is the neighborhood go-to for grocery essentials, and City Center is less than a few miles south for big box stores like Target.

Tacko is a great Mexican restaurant in Cow Hollow.
Tacko is a great Mexican restaurant in Cow Hollow.
Gio's offers amazing gelato in the Cow Hollow neighborhood.
Gio's offers amazing gelato in the Cow Hollow neighborhood.
Cow Hollow residents feel safe to walk their furry friends at any time of night on Union St.
Cow Hollow residents feel safe to walk their furry friends at any time of night on Union St.
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Nearby arts festivals and big-name concerts

With the Presidio right next to Cow Hollow, residents can enjoy many community events throughout the year, including free live music performances. World Arts West, which has been running for over 45 years, also takes place here in September to celebrate diverse communities through dance and music. The historic Palace of Fine Arts Theatre is just north of Cow Hollow in the Marina Bay District, where locals can enjoy a monthly lineup of performances by big-name musical artists and bands.

Crissy Field is a great place to spend the afternoon near the San Francisco Bay near Cow Hollow.
Crissy Field is a great place to spend the afternoon near the San Francisco Bay near Cow Hollow.
Golden Gate Overlook has one of the most iconic views of the Golden Gate Bridge by Cow  Hollow.
Golden Gate Overlook has one of the most iconic views of the Golden Gate Bridge by Cow Hollow.
The tunnel top in the Presidio are located just outside Cow Hollow.
The tunnel top in the Presidio are located just outside Cow Hollow.
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Public schools with special academies

Students may attend William L. Cobb Elementary School, which gets an A-minus rating from Niche, followed by the A-minus-rated Marina Middle School. They finish up at the A-rated Galileo High School, which has special academies in entrepreneurship, computer science and health.

Marina Middle School is housed in a three-story building right outside of Cow Hollow.
Marina Middle School is housed in a three-story building right outside of Cow Hollow.
Galileo Academy of Science & Technology is the public high school for the Financial District.
Galileo Academy of Science & Technology is the public high school for the Financial District.
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Recreation at the San Francisco Presidio

The 1,491-acre San Francisco Presidio borders Cow Hollow to the west, an expansive outdoor recreational site full of trails, beaches and marinas. More than 25 miles of trails run through here, including the Golden Gate Promenade/Bay Trail, which provides prime views of the Golden Gate Bridge and starts by the sandy Crissy Field East Beach. This shoreline beach is a popular spot for kitesurfing and walking along the sand. A little further east down the shoreline is the San Francisco Marina Yacht Harbor, where locals can look out at the sailboats or hang out by the connected Marina Green, a waterfront park. It features vast open green spaces with more expansive Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz views. Less than 2 miles south, Alta Plaza Park offers a more classic neighborhood park feel, with a playground, tennis courts and picnic areas.

Crissy Field is a great place to spend the afternoon near the San Francisco Bay near Cow Hollow.
Crissy Field is a great place to spend the afternoon near the San Francisco Bay near Cow Hollow.
Hiking trails weave throughout the famous Presidio of San Francisco.
Hiking trails weave throughout the famous Presidio of San Francisco.
Torpedo Wharf is a great place to go fishing in the Presidio.
Torpedo Wharf is a great place to go fishing in the Presidio.
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Next to Highway 101 and Muni bus stops

The neighborhood sits next to Highway 101, a main thoroughfare for getting around and outside the city. Multiple Muni bus stops are scattered around Cow Hollow, while the 16th Street Mission BART Station is about three miles away for light rail travel. The Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Medical Center is less than a few miles south in Alta Vista, while the San Francisco International Airport is about 16 miles from Cow Hollow.

Bus stops are spread across Cow Hollow making it easy to access the rest of San Francisco.
Bus stops are spread across Cow Hollow making it easy to access the rest of San Francisco.
Lombard is a great way to get around San Francisco.
Lombard is a great way to get around San Francisco.
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Britni Petersen
Written By
Britni Petersen
Angelo Sangiacomo
Photography Contributed By
Angelo Sangiacomo
Peter Medawar
Video By
Peter Medawar

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Cooper Gaines, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

San Francisco International

26 min drive

Bus

Union St & Buchanan St

Bus

Union St & Pierce St

Bus

Lombard St & Lyon St

Bus

Richardson Ave & Lyon St

Bus

Van Ness Ave & Union St

Bus

Fillmore St & Lombard St

Bus

Steiner St & Union St

Cow Hollow Demographics and Home Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$375,000
Median Sale Price
$380,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$380,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$2,750,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$380,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
1%
Last 12 months Home Sales
48
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-27%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$297

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
1,358
Number of Homes for Sale
2
Median Year Built
1926
Months of Supply
0.50
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
3,013
Significantly above the national average
1,924
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,535
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,394
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
888
Average Studio Size Sq Ft
588
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
2,613

Open Houses

  • Saturday, Aug 9
    1 - 3pm

    2415 Van Ness Ave Unit 504, San Francisco, CA 94109

    $535,000

    • 1 Bed
    • 1 Bath
    • 631 Sq Ft
    • 2415 Van Ness Ave
    • Unit 504
    • New 2 days ago

    Ideally located where Cow Hollow, Russian Hill, and Pacific Heights intersect, this charming junior one-bedroom offers an efficient layout, great natural light, and timeless appeal for modern city living. The well-scaled living room provides a warm and inviting atmosphere for relaxing or entertaining. A large kitchen with plentiful cabinet and counter space flows into a separate dining area,

    Dean Badessa Sotheby's International Realty

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  • Saturday, Aug 9
    2 - 4:30pm

    2244 Greenwich St, San Francisco, CA 94123

    $1,799,000

    • 2 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 1,398 Sq Ft
    • 2244 Greenwich St
    • New 3 days ago

    Live the ultimate San Francisco lifestyle in this renovated Cow Hollow condo! The flexible, two-story floor plan includes an open living area with kitchen, dining room and light-filled family room with built-in bookcase and bay window. The chef's kitchen features high-end appliances, marble counters, dishwasher and island with bar seating. A spacious bedroom located on the main level connects to

    Dan Fitzpatrick Compass

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  • Sunday, Aug 10
    1 - 4pm

    1671 Greenwich St, San Francisco, CA 94123

    $3,490,000

    • 12 Beds
    • 6,750 Sq Ft
    • 1671 Greenwich St
    • New 5 days ago

    Freshly painted,remodeled kitchen ( all 6 ), located at Greenwich and Gough in the desirable Pacific Heights/Cow Hollow area, this 1906 apartment building offers an investor rental upside .It features six units (5 leased, 1 vacant-2BR, 1BA) consisting of 2 units on each story, each unit offers 2 BR,1 BA & living room, total 6750 SF. Building just recently painted, great location, close to

    Sunny Lau Century 21 Masters

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Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Cooper Gaines, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
8,779
Median Age
38
Population Density
41 ppl/acre
Population under 18
16.9%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
14.8%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$202,347
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$211,842

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
98.1%
College Graduates
86%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
29%
% Population in Labor Force
83.5%
Above the national average
65.1%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
22''
Average Winter Low Temperature
46°F
Average Summer High Temperature
68°F
Annual Snowfall
0''

Area Factors

Very Bikeable

Bike Score®

70 / 100

Walker's Paradise

Walk Score®

99 / 100

Excellent Transit

Transit Score®

71 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Cow Hollow